Newport’s Barkley to star for USC

USC freshman quarterback Matt Barkley, a Newport Beach resident, will start the Trojans’ season-opening football game Sept. 5 against San Jose State, USC Coach Pete Carroll announced Thursday.

Barkley, who enrolled at USC in the spring after graduating early from Mater Dei High, won the job over Aaron Corp.

Barkley, 18, will be the first true freshman to start a USC opener, after showing well in spring and fall workouts.

“It’s clear to us as a staff that Matt Barkley is ready to be the starting quarterback at USC,” Carroll said in a statement. “He has exceeded all our expectations. He has all the physical ability, he has the mentality and temperament to handle the position, his personality is very well-received by all the players and he’s extremely talented.

“At this point, he’s ready to be the guy for us.”

Corp had been named the starter in April, but was sidelined for two weeks after cracking a bone in his leg on Aug. 10. Corp returned to practice Tuesday.

“The competition will continue at this position, but at this point, Barkley is our starting quarterback,” Carroll said.

— From staff reports